The Fine Thin Hair Dilemma

Before I was a blogger I was a hairstylist, my job was pretty unique I worked in the hair loss business cutting and styling wigs and hairpieces. I thought I’d share my tips & tricks that I have learned throughout the years and dealing with my fine and now sort of thinning hair. First let me begin with this, I have been a licensed cosmetologist since the late 80’s. I also worked in the Hair Loss Industry cutting and maintaining hairpieces and wigs for over thirteen years. I guess you could say I have pretty much seen and tried it all.

I have tried and used many of the countless fine hair products that are out there and would like to share my favorite finds with you. Then when you are finished with this post you must check out thePART 2of this post for even more tips.

This is not a sponsored post, but my true feelings on my own personal hair dilemma and product use. Join me for my story. My fine thin hair dilemma.

1988

Let’s get started! One of the craziest decades was the eighties. Being a teenager back then meant having big hair styles that stood high with many ranges of colors. Everyone had curls and perms ruled the era! Male or female we all had them. Excessive permanent waves and bleaching unfortunately damaged my hair and scalp.

Wait let’s back up a minute, my whole life I have had fine hair. I know from seeing my grandmothers super baby fine thin hair and my mothers fine thin hair that I am doomed to inherit their hair loss.

In the back of my mind I have always known that eventually I would be sitting in the chair instead of standing behind it. But for now, I will keep searching for the best and inexpensive remedies that work for me.

Hopefully this post may help some of you out in the process. Sometimes the best ideas and tricks are shared between friends in the same situation. I am going to post to you what I have found that works for me and in that it may help one of you out there with the very same issues or maybe we can just cry together.

The damage to my hair in my teen years from the eighties consists of Sun-in {straight peroxide} hair lightening spray, painting “on the scalp bleach” on my hair with a toothbrush to excessive double processing. Double processing is when you have highlights and/or hair color then get a permanent wave on top of that. That’s a lot of damage, believe me my hair has been mushy from that kind of damage.

At one point I had hair extensions in the crown and front sections of my hair from the ears forward, the weight of them alone pulled a ton of hair out that never recovered.

2015

I still highlight to this day, but I now have to color my hair all over every couple of months because of the new pesky grays that are emerging. I could just stop the highlighting, but seeing my natural color or a solid color freaks me out. It just isn’t me anymore. To me having highlights or low lights make your hair color look more natural. Like the sun would normally do to your natural hair.

As you age and start getting greyer, Mother Nature adds the lighter grey hair around the face. This naturally softens your wrinkles around your eyes and face. Grey hair dyed too dark makes your wrinkles look deeper and more noticeable. I choose not to see any grey. I’d rather color the grey to appear as if it were highlights instead.

My new hair dilemma is aging, thinning hair. I have noticed since I passed the forty mark that my hair is changing and feels different. The texture has changed and it has a dry shredded look to it sometimes, which then leads to it breaking off. The breaking off of the hair then makes it seem like it doesn’t grow.

I am sure some of this is due to hormones, but you can’t turn back the clock. Taking a hormone supplement is out of the question for me. I have estrogen fueled breast cancer in my family and I don’t want to pour fuel on the fire.

Lets just say I have never had the hair of my dreams, but I have pretty much killed what I do have trying to get it! Lol!

Most of the products I am using these days are from drugstores, salons, beauty supply stores, Ulta and even Amazon. Again, this is not a sponsored post. I provided Amazon affiliate links throughout the post, so you can read the reviews or purchase the exact product I am talking about.

I’m obsessive about the latest and greatest hair fix. Anytime something new and great comes out, I read as many reviews as I can about it then usually end up buying it. So let’s get started with what I am into these days.

The Aveeno Volumizing Shampoo does not strip your color treated hair at all. The conditioner is really lightweight and does not weigh my hair down. I love these two but they can be hard to find in stores.

I am not a big fan of most of the new hair thickening shampoo systems. Most of the time they are full of silicone, flake and build up. I also do not like sophisticated pricey hair systems that contain Minoxidil. They do work to grow and thicken the hair, but as soon as you stop using them the hair that grew in will fall out. That would probably send me over the edge at this point. Plus they smell strange and when I sweat I smell mediciney. Yes I made that word up! Maybe I’ll try them in the in the future, if things start getting drastic.

Now to share with you my SECRET WEAPON!

I found this product just a couple of years ago and it has done wonders for my hair. It is John Frieda Refreshing Gloss, I use the Cool Blonde shade. I have already stocked up on my supply in case of the apocalypse or worse if they decide to discontinue it.

UPDATE: I no longer see this product in stores. I am pretty sure they are discontinuing it. It is still available on Amazon as of 8/2016. Stock up NOW!

My aging hair has become increasingly porous and soaks up any hairspray or style products I put on it. This gloss fixes that problem and more. This is a once a week use gloss that seals your hair shaft and adds shine. It gives your hair that great “fresh from the salon, just colored my hair” feel each time you use it.

TIP: Here’s my secret: I love the way this gloss feels so much I sometimes use it twice a week. So far I have not had a buildup, but excessive use may cause flakiness. You’ve been warned.

I also love Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus Mousse ~ I actually switch this product up with the L’Oreal Mousse I mentioned above for the roots of my hair. This one never lets you down. I spray my roots all around the crown area of my head, and blow dry.

I use a professional grade curling iron, like Helen of Troy, Gold N’ Hot or Hot Tools Professional Jumbo 1 Inch Curling Iron brands. These curling irons are game changers when it comes to styling your hair. They get hotter and hold curl longer regular drugstore curling irons. These irons are one of the reasons why your styles from the salon last and your styles you do yourself at home do not. Get one they’re a life changer.

I am not a fan of the ceramic curling irons. Although they claim to to be better for your hair, they just don’t seem to work well on my hair. The curl just will not hold at all. I may try them again in the future, but for now I will use the hot ones I mentioned above on a setting for fine hair.

NOTE: The professional curling irons can get super hot, so make sure you do not turn it up too high or it may burn your hair or even burn it off. Yikes. Make sure you always set them to the fine hair setting.

As I am curling my hair with the curling iron, I spray each section with either hairspray or for extra hold I use Redken 22 Hot Sets Thermal Setting Mist. This stuff has been around for over ten years and is seriously awesome for holding fine hair.

When I let go of the curl from the curling iron I immediately roll that section up in a medium or small velcro roller. That way the hair stays in a curl position as it cools off.

When I finish with all the curls. I now have a head of velcro rollers I spray them with a coat of hairspray and let them dry and/or blast them with a hairdryer. I leave them in while I apply my makeup. Remove the rollers, then use your fingers to style! Spray, spray and spray again & that is pretty much my regimen for styling fine thin hair!

MY FAV TANNING PRODUCTS

I originally wrote this post during tanning season. Here’s my two cents about sunless tanning products. First, I love Mystic Tanning Booths and always get a few in the spring to start the season. Most places do a two for one for those of you, who haven’t tried a booth tan. It’s the best way to get your fake bake even, hands down.

Another one of my favorite product lines is St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse and their other products. These can be very pricy when sold at salons. The tanning lotion rubs on and you will look like you were in a mud fight. It’s more like a stain than a creme. Amazingly it washes off to a perfect tan.

St. Tropez also has a Gradual Tan In Shower Gel I can’t wait to try. You put it on and wash it off and it gradually gives you a nice sun kissed look. Sounds good to me! Reviews are pretty good as well. I’ll update the post if I decide to order it.

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Now it’s your turn. If you have a great tip trick or remedy that works for you. Please post it in the comments below! I’d love to try it and/or hear your story!

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